Let's step back and look at what it would mean for our state if hospitals were asked to provide the dollars needed for Oregon to match the federal dollars available to cover low income Oregonians. Over $1 billion in new federal dollars would flow into our state and our economy and we could provide health coverage to 100,000 low income Oregonians. The majority of hospitals will experience net revenue increases after the new federal dollars are included, so that the bottom line costs to hospitals in the aggregate is estimated to be about $50 per person for each of those 100,000 Oregonians who would now have access to health care.

Oregon hospitals have the chance to boost the economy across the state, by creating new jobs and improving health through primary care and prevention. This is a heroic investment by Oregon's hospitals to boost Oregon's economy and health.